I must say those ADKs are aptly named - so many Adirondack lakes and streams are smaller and require a decent hike to arrive - the lightweight pack boats are just ideal for those situations!

I like your Demo. This is why I got and order your NorthStar ADK 12 Ft LT Canoe. Very nice design. Now a day, I can go anyway without worry of the weight of my canoe. Good Job. Ethan. Thanks for all the demo in this vedio.

I love my Eddyline sky 10! It’s only 32 pounds and gives me out on the water!

Words to kayak by: "Today's twitchy is tomorrow's performance."

Hey Ethan, two years ago I went up to Bend to try out Northstar solo canoes with you. I liked them a *lot*, but I'd gone up knowing that I wasn't ready to buy. This summer I had to opportunity to get a used Hornbeck in southern California: the original Adirondack pack canoe -- that's made in the Adirondacks. 🙂 When I brought it home, my sister Jody and brother in law Alain were very intrigued and jealous of the light weight (mine's a 22-lb 12' Classic). They started then thinking hard about upgrading from their polypro kayaks ... and that led to their visit with you, and purchase of these two ADKs. So, you got a good sale out of my demo in the end! 😀

@HappyPaddlin

11 ай бұрын

I’m thrilled you got a great deal and you are happy! Nice to hear from you and it was great to help your sister and Allen! Thanks for sending em my way!

@HappyPaddlin

11 ай бұрын

Also, if you are ever in Central Oregon with your boat, I’d love to paddle together and give yours a spin!

@beckynankivell8639

11 ай бұрын

@@HappyPaddlin, I'll keep that in mind! Will definitely be up there sometime.

@dangreene7153

5 ай бұрын

Great review. Curious watching you paddle the ADK LT, what is your weight?

@HappyPaddlin

5 ай бұрын

6’ 170lbs

Great to see 12’ ADK vs 10’6” ADK. I’m trying to decide between the two for trips into the PMA’s (Primitive Management Areas) of the BWCA. Can’t take my long Bell Magic on those trips. The abuse a canoe takes on PMA trips is astounding! May have to go with the White Gold ruby red layup!

@HappyPaddlin

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and the comment. The 10’ is very fun and sporty but there is more stability, freeboard, glide and tracking in the 12’. Can’t wait to hear what you decide and see some pics of it rigged and ready for tripping!

It looks like a great "adventure/exploring" boat as opposed to a "tripper". For those day out on the water hitting the backwaters and small rivers/streams. And for those who want a kayak like experience, but the ease of a canoe with its open top. That said, it's not for me since I prefer a more standard canoeing experience and really don't like the "wet" of a double bladed paddle. ;) That's why I have a Northstar Phoenix. Though that can be double bladed as well (and I keep one with me just in case). Cheers!

@HappyPaddlin

4 ай бұрын

Yep, it’s the ultimate pond jumper! Fits in my camper too. I use a single blade with it most often. Phoenix is one of my favorites!

Interesting review but the notable "elephant in the room" is a complete lack of testing in the wind. In my experience that "leaf like" feel mention in the review adds up to a considerable difficulty controlling small canoes in any wind above 3/4 mph. I have never paddled either of these ADKs but my guess is you will need to ballast the bow down or you'll spend as much time going sidewards as going forwards. I usually carry a 2.5 gallon plastic jerry can full of water in my 12' canoe and slide it forwards nit by bit until the weight prevents sidewise slippage.

@HappyPaddlin

Ай бұрын

There is no “elephant” here…it was calm in the am so that’s the video I put out. Wind did pick up later and it was fine. If there are big winds and I’m blowing sideways, I just correct my ferry angle for the inevitable sideslip over distance (no different than any watercraft). But yes, have to be trimmed. I believe you are talking about directional control. Agreed. It’s all about trim. So in solo canoes with a headwinds I might use my Gear bag to drop my bow down a bit so stern slides out. Or alternatively, in quartering or Stern waves/wind I’ll put the duffel behind me. This is basic canoe wind management. Assuming the audience here knows this. I’ll adjust trim in this scenario with the sliding seat on the ADK in the vid. Thus, I’m not paddling 25 lbs of water around. Slide forward for headwinds, back for stern winds. But, a rough condition vid would be fun. I should do this for the viewers! Challenge Accepted.

Great comparison.....I need to try the Sandpiper....just saying....LOL

Thanks Ethan! I've been looking forward to this video. I think the 12' is probably the better choice for me. That 10' size sounds so convienient but may not be worth the performance and capacity trade-off. 12' is the max I can store right now. Overcoming the schlep is my main objective. About the lay-ups: is the WhiteGold at 8lbs heavier worth the cost savings over the StarLite? Also we really enjoy your Podcasts!

@HappyPaddlin

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and the kind words. I had a bunch of coffee that morning and was so dang talkative! I almost threw out the vid while editing it bc I was sick of listening to myself not taking a breath between thoughts! Working on that...probably should save the rapid talking for the podcast! Or put down the coffee... As far as Whitegold...I guess that is a budget question for you (and maybe durability needs) but I kind of feel every model has a lay-up that the design most lends itself to and in the case of pack canoes I think light light is the way to go! But, if you think you'll be a bit more rough and tumble and don't mind breaking your back on 28lbs (kidding, that's light still) then WG or IXP are cool! IXP blows my mind with the strength.

@nboothful

11 ай бұрын

@@HappyPaddlin coffee is life! Didn't notice any rapid talking issues. I for one appreciate efficent transfer of information. I'd be adding weight with the lounger seat, foot brace, and whitewater eyelets so... cost vs weight. we're not too rough. we paddle mostly salt water sloughs, bays close to shore, calm rivers, lakes. Most damage has been from shallow rock/tree srapes, concrete launch ramps, parking lots. A lot of that is alleviated with a lighter boat.

Thanks. This is very helpful. When you were paddling the 10'6 what length paddle were you using?

@HappyPaddlin

4 ай бұрын

I believe the double bladed paddle was 220cm.

How is the durability on rocky shallow rivers? will these hold up?...I love lightweight canoes....have a 30 year old royalex....yearly maintenance has kept the hull intact...but it is getting close to retirement and lighter would be nice....thanks

@HappyPaddlin

11 ай бұрын

The StarLite is used in the boundary waters for Outfitters. It’s capable of that kind of abuse and repair is easier than Royalex to adhere to. For lots of river banging, check out Northstar’s IXP layup. It’s way tougher than Royalex and lighter.

@mkanyuh

11 ай бұрын

Thanks I will do that!!@@HappyPaddlin